James Boasberg controversy drives Senate bill for random federal case assignments

Federal Judge James Boasberg, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, has repeatedly issued rulings against the Trump administration that were later overturned by higher courts, including the D.C. Circuit and the Supreme Court. His decisions on immigration enforcement and contempt proceedings have drawn criticism from President Donald Trump and a public rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, who warned that impeachment is not a proper response to judicial disagreement.

In response, Senator Eric Schmitt introduced legislation nicknamed the “Boasberg Act,” which would require random assignment of federal cases and prohibit chief judges from steering politically sensitive lawsuits onto specific judges. The bill aims to increase transparency and curb perceived “judge shopping” that concentrates high‑profile political cases in a single courtroom.